Authors

Charles McCarry

Charles McCarry worked under deep cover as a CIA operations officer in Europe, Asia, and Africa. He is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels, including The Shanghai Factor and the classic spy thriller The Tears of Autumn, as well as numerous works of nonfiction.

Born in Massachusetts in 1930, McCarry began his writing career in the army, as a correspondent for Stars and Stripes. In the 1950s he served as a speechwriter for President Eisenhower before taking a post with the CIA, for whom he traveled the globe as a deep cover operative. He left the Agency in 1967, and set about converting his experiences into fiction.

His first novel, The Miernik Dossier (1971), introduced Paul Christopher, an American spy who struggles to balance his family life with his work. McCarry has continued writing about Christopher and his family for decades, producing ten novels in the series to date. A former editor-at-large for National Geographic, McCarry has written extensive non-fiction, and continues to write essays and book reviews for various national publications.

Praise

“[McCarry] ranks up there with Le Carré in a select class of two.” —Daily Mail

“Charles McCarry’s novels are among the best of our time.” —Wall Street Journal

“Charles McCarry is the best modern writer on the subject of intrigue—by the breadth of Alan Furst, by the fathom of Eric Ambler, by any measure.” —P. J. O’Rourke

“McCarry’s thrillers really thrill, his political insight is praised by senior politicians and his erudition, experience, and good writing turn spy stories into literature. McCarry and his dynamic alter egos wipe the floor with the opposition.” —The Daily Telegraph

“The most masterful political thriller I have ever read. It is loaded with intrigue and counter-intrigue at the very top level of government in Washington.” —Richard Condon, author of The Manchurian Candidate on Shelley’s Heart